Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art (181)

Fine and Beautifully Embroidered 19th Century Korean Ironing Board from the renowned, published, and exhibited Lea Sneider textiles collection. This truly deluxe Korean ironing board is the finest example we have seen of an embroidered ironing board, and is filled with imaginatively rendered symbolism. Geese mate for life, so they are an ancient symbol of fidelity, and the lotus is a symbol of purity and rebirth, because the lotus rises above the muck of the pond to show its face to the Sun. 22.5 x 6.5 inches (57 x 16.5 cm).

Rare, Museum Quality 19th Century Medicine Chest (Yakjang) with Paulownia Doors. This is the finest work of Korean antique furniture we have ever offered, and likely the only example of this type anywhere outside of Korea. Antique medicine chests with doors are extremely rare even in Korea, and this is probably the best known condition among the very few left. Each drawer has the name of the medicine inscribed on it. Perfectly proportioned at 100 x 75 x 33 cm, 39.5 x 29.5 x 13 inches.

The last rare Joseon Dynasty Munjado-Chaekgeori combination screen offered for sale was a decade ago at auction. It will likely be at least that long until you see another, if you ever see one for sale again at all. Even most museums have been unable to find one to acquire. The Cleveland Museum has a fine example. This rare combination of Munjado and Chaekgeori was painted only in the Gangwon Province. Munjado screens have eight pictorial ideographs depicting the Eight Confucian Virtues: Hyo (Filial Piety), Je (Fraternity), Chung (Loyalty), Shin (Trust), Ye (Propriety), Ui (Justice), Yeom (Integrity), and Chi (Conscience). Unique to Korean munjado screens are paintings of various creatures that since ancient times have symbolized the virtue they accompany here. Confucian values were regarded as the cornerstones of Korean society and Munjado screen paintings representing them were used as daily reminders to observe the Eight Virtues. Chaekgeori screens feature scholarly accoutrements such as books and writing tables, brush pots and scrolls, fans, along with items that would adorn the scholar's study such as potted flowers and plants, and fruit in bowls. Within the Confucian society of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), scholars were highly respected and Chaekgeori screens were typically displayed behind the desk in a study to convey an air of dignity, luxury, and a reverence for scholarship. These screens were also intended to instill these values in the children of the household. Ink and colors on paper. Total dimensions: 65 x 140 inches, 165 x 356 cm. Each painting: 65 x 17.5 inches, 165 x 44.5 cm.

Rare 19th Century Korean Antique Men's Mirror Box of High Quality Persimmon and Zelkova Wood. 10 x 8 x 6 inches, 25 x 20 x 15 cm.

Rare Embroidered Korean Antique Child's Belt (Dolddi) with Sipjangsaeng, the traditional ten symbols of longevity: Sun, mountains, cranes, bamboo, tortoise, pine tree, water, bullocho, clouds, and deer. When the deer, tortoise, and crane are paired, as they are here, they are also a symbol of eternal love. The bamboo is a symbol of integrity and resilience, because it bends in a strong wind and returns to its upright position. The butterfly is a symbol of happiness, and is often paired with the peony flower, an ancient symbol of prosperity. The lotus blossom is a symbol of purity and rebirth, because it rises above the muck of the pond to show its face to the Sun. A beautifully and meticulously embroidered work of art. 16 x 3.5 inches, 40.5 x 9 cm.

Early 20th Century Tibetan Thangka of Unusual Garuda from a renowned and published collection. Very Good Condition. 27 x 20.5 inches, 69 x 52 cm.

Early 20th Century Tibetan Thangka of Mahakala and Consort from a renowned and published collection. Very Good Condition. 27 x 20.5 inches, 69 x 52 cm.

Calligraphy by Korea's Most Famous Calligrapher, O Se Chang aka Wichang (1864 - 1953). Not only is O Se Chang the most renowned calligrapher in Korean history, his books on calligraphy have become the definitive texts on the subject. He is famous for his works in seal script, as in this example here. 53 x 12 inches, 134 x 30 cm, unmounted. O Se Chang's calligraphy is currently prominently featured in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's exhibition on Korean calligraphy, Beyond Line: The Art of Korean Writing, including his work on loan from the National Museum of Korea.

Rare and Fine Painting on Silk of Dokseong, The Hermit Saint, from the renowned Charles J. Chu Collection. Sold on June 25, 2010 in Skinner's Asian Works of Art auction (Sale 2512, Lot 445). We sold the last Dokseong painting we had to the Art Institute of Chicago. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a beautiful and important painting with an impeccable provenance. Dokseong is portrayed here in a heavenly landscape filled with ancient symbolism, as he sits under the pine tree (symbol of longevity) with a stack of books, beside peonies (symbol of wealth, in this case, a wealth of knowledge and natural beauty), in front of waterfalls and a river (symbols of eternal life), atop a rocky plateau with freshly blooming orchids (orchids are an ancient Korean symbol of purity, modesty, and virtue; rocks symbolizes eternity; so the combination of orchids and rocks have the meaning of eternal adherence to principle). His robe is adorned with clouds (symbol of longevity) and chrysanthemums (symbol of abundance). The chrysanthemums are echoed in the bookshelves. The melons and pomegranates atop the books are fruits with many seeds, so they symbolize plenty. In this case, they represent nature's abundance. Frame: 42 x 33 inches (107 x 84 cm), Painting: 36.5 x 27.25 inches (93 x 69 cm).

Early 20th Century Tibetan Thangka of Mahakala and Consort from a renowned and published collection. Very Good Condition. 28 x 21 inches, 71 x 53 cm.

Rare Pair of Boxes for Storing a Scholar's Name Seals, with Lovely Wood Grain and Metalwork. A scholar's name seals were among his most personal and treasured items. 6h x 5w x 5d inches, 15h x 12.5w x 12.5d cm.

Newari Mask, 12 inches, 30.5 cm.

Antique Nepali Sarangi Musical String Instrument with sublimely rendered animal and human figures, from the published and renowned collection of Sam Hilu, a prominent author and adviser on traditional Asian art, 29.75 x 7.75 inches, 75.5 x 20 cm.

Nepalese Yak Hair Mask from the Humla Region. 8 inches, 20.5 cm.

Nepalese Middle Hills Mask with a Third Eye. 10.75 inches, 27.5 cm.

A Fine and Old Painting of Dokseong, Korea's Hermit Saint in a most beautiful landscape. This gorgeous painting has a phenomenal dark patina that could only have developed through years of ritual use and adds greatly to the contemplative beauty and serenity of this very special work of art. Dokseong is pictured in an inspiring remote mountain forest, a Daoist style landscape where he seeks solitude and self-cultivation. His attire is that of a Buddhist monk. He is revered by Buddhists and Shamans. Paintings of Dokseong are the most constant companions of Sansin (Mountain God) paintings in the Sansin-gak Shrine of Buddhist temples in Korea. Some temples even give Dokseong his own shrine, the Dokseong-gak. There is an old inscription at the bottom of the painting. Frame: 34.75 x 26 inches (88 x 66 cm), Painting: 29.75 x 21 inches (75.5 x 53.5 cm).

Early 20th Century Large Black-Lacquered Mother-of-Pearl Box, in fair condition with much loss of the mother-of-pearl. The brass hardware is old but is not original. 31.5 x 18.5 x 16.5 inches, 80 x 47 x 42 cm.

Calligraphy by the Joseon Dynasty's Last Prime Minister, Lee Wan Yong aka Ildang (1858 - 1926). He was prime minister of Korea in 1906 - 1910. Lee is Korea's most infamous traitor, the "Benedict Arnold of Korea", for signing the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty in 1910. Connoisseurs begrudgingly acknowledge his great talents as a calligrapher, but the disdain with which he is regarded keeps the demand, and thus the prices of his work very low. Mounted on sky blue silk. Scroll: 74.5 x 17.5 inches, 189 x 44.5 cm; Calligraphy: 51.5 x 12.75 inches, 131 x 32.5 cm.